Networking / Beginners

Link-State Versus Distance Vector Routing Protocols

This section describes the two most common and relevant routing protocols that TCP/IP has available for use, namely RIP and OSPF. Controversy surrounds the debate over link-state versus distance vector routing algorithms regarding which is better.

NOTE Link-State and distance vector routing protocols are also known as interior gateway protocols (IGPs); this concept is discussed later in the discussion of OSPF and border gateway protocol (BGP) interoperability.
An IGP is a classification that describes the use of a dynamic routing protocol to exchange routing information within an autonomous system (AS). Examples of common IGPs include IGRP, OSPF, Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS), and RIP. You can contrast an IGP with an exterior gateway protocol (EGP) such as BGP.

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